San Joaquin County - Registrar of Voters

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REGISTRAR OF VOTERS

• Austin G. Erdman
• 44 N. San Joaquin St., Ste. 350
• Stockton, CA 95202
• (209) 468-2885 Phone
• (800) 400-5009 Toll Free
• (209) 468-2889 Fax
• E-Mail

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Contact Us
• Poll Workers Needed
• Use of Registration Information
• Frequently Asked Questions
• General Election Information
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ELECTION INFORMATION

• Candidate Information
• List of Candidates
• List of Measures

PROGRAMS/SERVICES

• Vote-by-Mail
• Voter Lookup
• Election Results
• Voter Registration
• Sample Ballot Opt Out/Opt In
• Polling Place Look Up
• Forms
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• Yahoo! Map of the Office

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Registrar of Voters Department

Frequently Asked Questions

• Registration Questions
  1. Who may register to vote?
  2. How do I register to vote?
  3. How can I get a form to register to vote?
  4. May I register to vote at my business address or may I use my PO Box number?
  5. Is identification required to register?
  6. What if I forgot to put all the required information on the registration card?
  7. What if my name, address, or political party affiliation changes?
  8. What if I just moved and did not re-register? Will I be eligible to vote?
  9. How do I know that I am registered to vote?
  10. I became a new citizen after the registration deadline. Can I still register to vote?
  11. How do I notify the voter registration office that another voter needs to be cancelled?
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• Vote-by-Mail Questions
  1. How can I apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot?
  2. Who can apply for Permanent Vote-by-Mail?
  3. Because of illness or other physical disability, I am unable to return my Vote-by-Mail ballot myself. What are my options?
  4. What if I have not received my Vote-by-Mail Ballot?
  5. How should I return my Vote-by-Mail ballot?
  6. If I lose the Vote-by-Mail ballot sent to me, can I get another one?
  7. I am out of the country and the mail is slow. Can I apply to vote by mail early?
  8. If I request a Vote-by-Mail ballot, can I change my mind and vote at my regular polling place?
  9. I’ve mailed my Vote-by-Mail ballot. How can I confirm you have received it?
  10. What if I forget to sign my ballot?
  11. How do I remove my name from the Permanent Vote-by-Mail list?

 

• Registration Answers
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1. Who may register to vote?
   To register to vote in the State of California, you must meet the following criteria:
   • A United States Citizen,
   • A resident of California,
   • Not in prison or on parole for the conviction of a felony,
   • At least 18 years of age on the date of the next election.
     (A person may register to vote at age 17 if he or she will be 18 on or before the next election.)
   • California law denies the right to vote to persons who have been determined mentally incompetent.
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2. How do I register to vote?
   You must fill out a voter registration card; be sure to sign it and mail it in.
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3. How can I get a form to register to vote?
   
   • Voter Registration Forms are available at most government offices, public libraries, post offices, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
   • If you would like a Voter Registration Card mailed to you from our office, please call us at (209) 468-2890 or (800) 400-5009.
   • Fill out a Voter Registration Form Now. This form must be printed, completed, signed and returned to our office either in person or by mail. We cannot accept faxed or emailed Voter Registration Forms.
   • Or you can come into our office and complete a Voter Registration Card. We are located at: 44 N San Joaquin Street, Suite 350, Stockton, CA 95202
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4. May I register to vote at my business address or may I use my PO Box number?
   No. A person may only register to vote at his or her place of residence. A business address or PO Box may only be used for mailing purposes.
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5. Is identification required to register?
   The Help America Vote Act (HAVA), enacted by Congress in October of 2002, states that individuals registering to vote for the first time in the state/jurisdiction must provide either a valid California driver's license or state ID card number. Applicants who do not have either can provide the last four digits of their Social Security number. If the voter provides a driver’s license or state ID number when he/she registers to vote, and the number can be matched to a state record, then the voter will not be required to show ID when he/she votes.
   
   If you do not provide a CA driver’s license, or state ID card number, you may be required to show ID when you vote. Click here for a list of acceptable forms of identification for voting purposes.
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6. What if I forgot to put all the required information on the registration card?
   Our office will send you a letter requesting you provide the required information. You will not be registered to vote until the information is received.
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7. What if my name, address, or political party affiliation changes?
   You must re-register any time you move, change your name, or wish to change your political party. Your voter registration should have your current residence address to ensure that you receive the correct ballot material regarding candidates and measures.
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8. What if I just moved and did not re-register? Will I be eligible to vote?
   If you were previously registered in San Joaquin County and have moved within the county’s borders, you can vote a provisional ballot at your new polling place.
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9. How do I know that I am registered to vote?
   A voter notification card will be mailed advising you that you are registered to vote. If you do not receive this card within 4-6 weeks after you have registered please contact our office at (209) 468-2890. You can also check the following link: Voter Registration Lookup
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10. I became a new citizen after the registration deadline. Can I still register to vote?
    Yes. Persons who become citizens after the close of registration may vote only in the Election Office between the 14th day before an election and ending at the close of polls on the election day following the date on which that person became a citizen. New Citizens must present a Certificate of Naturalization and declare that they have established residence in San Joaquin County.
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11. How do I notify the voter registration office that another voter needs to be cancelled?
    
    • If a voter has passed away, immediate family members can call our office to request that we cancel the voter’s registration. All others need to send in a written request to cancel the deceased voter’s registration.
    • If a voter is unable to vote due to severe illness or mental incapacity, please provide a written statement with the voter’s name, address and birth date. Be sure to include your name, signature and your relationship to the voter.
    • If you believe a voter no longer lives in San Joaquin County, please provide their name and prior address in the county as well as their new address if known. Staff will attempt to contact the voter to verify their new address and registration status.
    • If you would like to cancel your own voter registration record, you may do so by using the following form: Click Here.
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• Vote-by-Mail Answers
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1. How can I apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot?
   
   • Complete the Vote-by-Mail ballot application that is located on the back cover of your sample ballot booklet and mail or fax to our office.
   • Mail, fax or email a signed letter requesting a Vote-by-Mail ballot to our office.
     Your request must include: the election for which you are requesting a ballot, your name, residence address, mailing address if different and your signature.
   • Or download and print the Vote-by-Mail Application (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader available for free at http://www.adobe.com), complete, sign, and return to us by mail, fax, or email.
   • To become a Permanent Vote-by-Mail Voter, please download and print the Permanent Vote-by-Mail Application (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader available for free at http://www.adobe.com), complete, sign, and return to us by mail, fax, or email.
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     By Mail:
     San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters
     PO Box 810
     Stockton, CA 95201
     
     By Fax: (209) 468-9534
     
     By Email: vbm@sjgov.org
     
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2. Who can apply for Permanent Vote-by-Mail?
   Effective January 1, 2002, California's Election Law allows any registered voter to become a Permanent Vote-by-Mail Voter (Chapter 922, AB 1520, 2001 Statutes).
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3. Because of illness or other physical disability, I am unable to return my Vote-by-Mail ballot myself. What are my options?
   A vote by mail voter who, because of illness or other physical disability is unable to return the ballot, may designate his or her spouse, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister or a person residing in the same household as the vote by mail voter to return the ballot to the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters office or any Polling Place location in San Joaquin County. The ballot must be received before the close of the polls on Election Day. EC3017 (a)(2)
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4. What if I have not received my Vote-by-Mail Ballot?
   If you have applied for a Vote-by-Mail ballot and have not received your ballot two weeks before the election, please call our office to request a replacement ballot.
   
   You can check the status of your Vote-by-Mail Ballot by clicking here.
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5. How should I return my Vote-by-Mail ballot?
   Once your return envelope is signed, the ballot envelope may be returned to the Registrar of Voters Office in three ways:
   
   • By mail - send your ballot no later than 72 hours before Election Day. Your ballot must be in our possession by 8 pm on Election Day. Postmarks cannot be accepted.
   • In person to our office located at 44 N. San Joaquin St. Ste. 350, Stockton, CA 95202. There is a 24/7 drop box located on Weber Street in the front of the Administration building for your convenience.
   • To any Polling Place location in San Joaquin County on Election Day.
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6. If I lose the Vote-by-Mail ballot sent to me, can I get another one?
   Yes. Call the San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Office at (209) 468-2890 and request a second ballot. You may also vote a provisional ballot at your polling place on Election Day.
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7. I am out of the country and the mail is slow. Can I apply to vote by mail early?
   The San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters Office will send Vote-by-Mail ballots to overseas civilians and members of the military 60 days prior to the date of the election - if we receive their request prior. It is essential that you complete a Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request prior to 60 days before the next scheduled election.
   
   If you are a military or overseas voter and have not received your ballot by 4 weeks before the election, please contact our office for a replacement. You may contact us by phone (209) 468-2890, fax (209) 468-9534, or email: vbm@sjgov.org.
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8. If I request a Vote-by-Mail ballot, can I change my mind and vote at my regular polling place?
   Yes, but you must surrender your Vote-by-Mail ballot with the reply envelope and give it to the polling place worker before voting a regular ballot.
   
   If you are unable to surrender your Vote-by-Mail ballot, you may still cast a provisional ballot at your polling place.
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9. I’ve mailed my Vote-by-Mail ballot. How can I confirm you have received it?
   You can check the status of your Vote-by-Mail ballot for the current election by visiting our voter lookup page or calling our office at (209) 468-2890.
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10. What if I forget to sign my ballot?
    If we get your ballot at least two weeks before the election and you have forgotten to sign it, we will mail it back to you and ask you to sign and return it.
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11. How do I remove my name from the Permanent Vote-by-Mail list?
    You may remove your permanent vote-by-mail status by emailing or faxing our office a Request to Remove Permanent Vote-by-Mail Status. Or by emailing or faxing a written note that includes: your name, address, date of birth and a statement that you are requesting to be removed from the Permanent Vote-by-Mail list.
    
    By Fax: (209) 468-9534
    
    By Email: vbm@sjgov.org
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